Page 201 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Chapter 91

Alex stood in his bedroom in Frankfurt, looking around. He’d been back several times since moving to San Francisco, but only for short visits. A couple of weeks at the longest.

He stared at the bed he’d slept in since he was a very young boy. The same bed that he’d shared with Mina. The same bed Heidi, his daughter, had nursed in. The same bed he’d been sleeping in when he got the news they were gone.

Tears welled up in his eyes, but time had softened the sting of death. Instead of a raw, gaping wound in his heart, it had transformed into a dull ache. In some ways, it was a relief to experience the ache rather than the searing pain, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he was betraying Mina’s memory.

No, he decided. It had been three years since she died. It was right to move on. Move on and correct the mistakes of his past.

Oh, sweet Anna. Leaving her was the hardest thing about being back in Germany. Her tears on Monday morning had been agonizing. But he’d left knowing for certain that when he returned, she would welcome him with open arms and they could begin a proper relationship. And he would see her at the student performances at the end of the summer. That wasn’t a terribly long time.

“So, are you ready to begin?”

Alex jumped at Sebastian’s voice and turned around. “I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.”

Sebastian laughed. “I’m not sneaking. I’m appearing.”

Alex shook his head. “Same thing.” He sighed. “Yes, I’m ready. You will help me, right?”

“I will guide you, as I always do. If you’re on the right track, I will tell you. If you’re on the wrong track, I will... hint as such.”

“Have you learned anything else about Devin’s plans? Or how he was able to hide Anna?”

“Kaveh is the one helping him.”

Alex opened his mouth to speak, but Sebastian held up his hand. “Kaveh has been with the Americans since the beginning. He has guided Devin since he was young and therefore has the right to continue to help him.” He pursed his lips, but his eyes held a hint of amusement. “He did try to confront me about what I did. I warned him that if he reported to our Father what I’d done, he’d be confessing his own wrongdoing, and he’s not willing to do that. He knows he’s treading a thin line between right and wrong.”

“Why didn’t you turn him in?”

The Immortal sighed. “Because this is a human matter. These are the choices that have been made. I don’t think it’s right for us to interfere, aside from giving you guidance about how to help.”

“Do you know what Devin has planned?”

“Some. Which is why I’m helping you. He must be stopped, Alex, and you are the man who will do it.”

Alex laughed bitterly. “No pressure, huh?”

“Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift.”

Alex shook his head at the Immortal’s quote from Dante’s Inferno. “So, where do we begin?”

Sebastian raised his brow, and Alex took that to mean that was his own decision to make. “I thought I should start with Vati’s Tome. I need to learn the ancient language, don’t I?”

Sebastian gave a sage nod. “A wise decision.”

Chapter 92

While Maggie and Sarah were preparing Anna for the Gathering that evening, Devin came in to see her. Maggie was brushing Anna’s hair and they were giggling about something when Devin walked into the bathroom. Maggie and Sarah dropped to their knees, and Anna turned around and studied his face nervously. “G-good evening, Master.”

He didn’t seem angry. He was dressed in his white tunic and pants. “Girls, I need to speak to the Mistress alone.”

“Yes, Master,” they murmured and hurried out of the room.

Devin smiled at Anna and stepped closer and stroked her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. “You look tired, Baby. Are you dancing too much?” He paused and tilted his head. “Are you okay with Alex being gone?”

Anna winced at the reminder. “I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“Why is that?” he asked softly, brushing his fingers across her collarbone, then down the opening of her robe.

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